Assam CM lauds ULFA(I)'s decision to extend unilateral ceasefire
- Aug 15, 2021,
- Updated Aug 15, 2021, 1:28 AM IST
GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today lauded the ULFA (Independent) outfit's extension of the ongoing unilateral ceasefire for another 3 months owing to the COVID-19 outbreak. He also lauded the outfit for refraining from declaring India's 75th Independence Day as a 'bandh.'
Since its inception in 1979, the banned outfit makes a customary call for a bandh on Republic Day (January 26) and Independence Day (August 15) every year — in line with its demand of creating a “sovereign Assam”.
Addressing mediapersons here, Biswa Sarma said, "May this ceasefire be permanent and I hope the ULFA (I) returns to the mainstream with full honour under the leadership of Paresh Baruah."
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The banned ULFA (Independent) outfit on Saturday extended the unilateral ceasefire, announced in May this year, for another three months as the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Assam is yet to improve.
ULFA (I) commander-in-chief Paresh Barua in a statement said that the outfit had announced the ceasefire on May 15 and decided to refrain from any operation during this three-month period as people were facing difficulties due to the pandemic.
”The COVID-19 situation is yet to stabilize and like our social responsibility, we have extended the ceasefire for another three months and no operations will be conducted during this period,” he said.